Edge of the Abyss

We’re still waiting on SU’s budget details as the Illinois Department of Human Services works to implement their budget targets. At is stands at the moment, state grants for Workshop, Supported Employment, and Client and Family Supports have been eliminated. Also under consideration is a 2.5% cut to all our other state funding. The statewide waiting list for services now tops 20,000 people. Of even greater concern, if that is possible, is the state getting further and further behind on what it already owes us.

Our employees’ dedication have helped SU make it this far in the budget crisis. Employees are hurting because we’ve cut a lot, we’ve reduced some opportunities for consumers within our programs, but we have managed to avoid layoffs and service terminations to this point. We’ll go as far as humanly possible to continue to carry out our mission, but at some point we’re going to need help and not hurt from the State of Illinois.